Monday, 25 November 2013

The Little Tikes Play Date

Having a
toddler has opened up a whole new world to me, one full of toys and wild
escapades. One of our recent escapades was to visit Little Tikes for a rather
exciting play date in Milton Keynes. A number of other children of varying ages
were also invited along so that together, our cheeky kiddies could have a hands
on play with all of the current Little Tikes range.

Leo and
I are no stranger to Little Tikes, I as a child used to share my younger
brothers Cozy Coupe! And although the years have rolled by, and the designs may
have been made that little bit more modern… The Cozy Coupe is still going
strong, and Leo darts around the house in his very own! When I first bestowed
Leo with his Cozy Coupe, he would sit in it watching the television and playing
with other toys. He was completely smitten!

Leo and
I set off on this latest adventure bright and early, but if Leo was honest the
bit he was most looking forward to about this day out, was that he could travel
on the train! The main topic of conversation on our travels was that he was
indeed on a train… Or ‘Choo’ as he likes to call them, over and over again. The
train ride was so exciting that Leo decided there was no way he was going to
give in and take a nap for me… Which of course meant that upon arrival at
Little Tikes.. He was way past his best and I did worry that he may not play
ball.

Luckily
for me as soon as we got there, Leo let go of my hand and he ran right into the
thick of it. He threw himself over the blow up Little Tikes inflatable… He flew
threw the entrance and found all of the other children who were already playing
together.

The
purpose of this play date was to highlight the different play personalities,
and with all of the children that Little Tikes had very bravely invited along,
it was apparent that they were all at play right there in that very room. The
room had been set up into the different areas for the different age
ranges:-

- Little
Learners

- Little
Movers

- Little
Builders

- Explorers

- Little
Grown Up’s

In each
area there were toys from each of Little Tikes ranges, and the kids were free
to run around, jump, shout and do as they pleased. Leo did a lot of jumping and
a lot of shouting, some good shouting… and some not so good screaming. My 2
year old quickly became known as the boy who could get stuck…anywhere. I don’t
quite know what play personality this bestows upon him… But I very quickly
became accustomed to listening out for Leo’s scream and promptly ran over to
pull him out of the latest place he had become wedged…

He even managed to find the rather snazzy water play table, and while I was listening to the introductions he decided to take the opportunity... And get soaked! Hence the naked attire...

What I
found really interesting about the day was that Maggie Redshaw (Little Tikes
Play Expert) was on hand to answer any questions that we had. I had a lovely
chat with Maggie and it was lovely to hear that the best part of her job was to
actually just get down on her hands and knees and indulge in a proper playtime
with the kids. She said that while they are playing like they were here, there
is no wrong that they can do as they are just learning about everything around
them, testing the waters so to speak.

Maggie
has been helping Little Tikes discover why children play in the ways that they
do, and I was really impressed that Little Tikes were taking advice from all
areas of the playing field. When Maggie was talking to the bigger kids (i.e…Us
parents) I found myself nodding along with everything she said. One point was
that when they have held play dates in the past, they have thought that the kids
would perhaps conform to their stereotypical roles… But what actually happened
was the boys flocked to the playhouses and play kitchens (just like Leo does!)
and the girls to anything with wheels!

Now this
didn’t surprise me at all, Leo is often found playing in his play kitchen, and
he even has his very own baby doll and a pushchair!

Of
course throughout the play date Leo played with absolutely everything. He
played with the lawn mower and the train set (which soon became a firm
favourite!) and he even played with the kitchen where he served me ample supply
of ‘chips’.

Then
when the lack of sleep got a little bit too much… Leo decided he was so tired
that he was going to inflict the ultimate toddler melt down on everyone in the
room. Train track flew, Leo lay flat on the floor with a face as red as a
tomato… I sat there watching not really knowing what to do with him. It went on
for a little while… Until Santa. YES SANTA, walked in through the door with a
big bag of presents for all of the kid’s.

What
better way to end a play date!?

I
managed to convince Leo to sit down on a bean bag with his blanket and his
milk, and cuddle up until Santa handed him his very own gift. As soon as Leo
laid eyes on Father Christmas I saw his entire face light up, and the toddler
who only minutes before had been screaming… was now sat mesmerized right beside
me, pointing at Santa and calling his name ‘Danta’.

I had to
stop Leo from prematurely running up to Santa and stealing a gift, but he
didn’t have long to wait until the man in red bestowed Leo with his very own
present. Leo eagerly tucked into ripping the wrapping paper off so he could see
what was inside. Santa had very kindly given all of the children their new play
kitchen, and now whenever you point at his latest toy box addition, and ask him
who gave him it… He replies concisely with ‘Danta, Present’.

What
really made me giggle over the weekend was when I told him we would be seeing
Santa again, and Leo replied ‘Present, More’. I think someone may have been a
little bit spoilt at Little Tikes!

We had a
lovely, and at times magical time with Little Tikes, and I would just like to
say a big thank you for inviting Leo and I along. We have definetly added a few
more Little Tikes goodies on our letter to Santa Clause this year!

Disclaimer:
Leo and I were invited along to the Little Tikes Play Date. We were provided
with lunch and our travel expenses were paid for us. Leo was gifted a present
from Santa. I was not asked to write this post and all views and opinions expressed
are completely honest and my own.